Ballast Point Brewing | Fathom IPA

Ballast Point made a fantastic decision in opening their East Coast location in southwest Virginia. Daleville is near rolling mountains outside of Roanoke and has a cluster of outposts from well-known breweries, like Deschutes, Starr Hill and soon, Three Notch’d. Ballast Point’s production brewery, tasting room and restaurant opened in 2017 and has floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the landscape.

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Commonwealth Brewing Company | Big Papi

When traveling, it has become commonplace in our society for people to bring back souvenirs for friends and loved ones. It could be a shirt from a local professional team or a keychain with their name etched on it (which is a sore subject for someone who seemingly always struck out as a young kid when trying to find the one with my name on it). But for those closest to me, they know to expect some samples of local beer brewed in the town or city I was visiting. Read More

BadWolf Brewing Company | Clara’s Vanilla Porter

Spring is here but that doesn’t mean porters should disappear from your lineup, notably something that’s light, slightly sweet and beloved in your hometown. Personally, I was shocked when I saw that I hadn’t profiled this Clara’s Vanilla Porter from BadWolf Brewing Company, located steps from my home in Manassas, Virginia.

I’ve been enjoying this beer during Friday night date nights with my husband for months now, thrilled with its low ABV and full body.

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Ultimate 6er | Virginia Beers + Outdoor Music

The weather in Virginia is doing a dance between 20 degrees and 60 degrees, teasing us with warm but reminding us that yes, the groundhog did see his shadow.

We’re going to charge ahead and look to spring and summertime, which means there’s plenty of days to enjoy beers outside to your favorite live shows, cover bands, Amazon Echo streams or whatever.

Grab a beer, grab a seat outside and relax with your favorite artists.

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Hardywood Park Craft Brewery | Gingerbread Stout

My Secret Santa may still be a secret, but his great taste in Virginia beer is definitely not. I was gifted Hardywood’s Gingerbread Stout and shared it with my family during Christmas. Despite enjoying it in Florida’s 80-degree December heat, we found the Imperial Milk Stout delicious, sip-able and surprisingly light.

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Growth is All Local in Virginia

Expansion means something specific in Virginia’s beer counties, which both encircle Washington, D.C. and span to verdant farmland.

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Mustang Sally Brewing Company | So Little Time IPA

So Little Time IPA is great for lager lovers — It’s a great beer to drink during the transition from summer to fall when many aren’t yet ready for the bold flavors of autumn but do desire more depth.

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Ultimate 6er | Ode to The Star Spangled Banner

Feature image courtesy of the Smithsonian.

It’s Fourth of July season, which means it’s time for intense patriotism on social and other media. We’ll see slews of posts on the most Americana XYZ thing and guides to finding the most Independence Day-themed stuffs, all the stuffs, out there.

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Brothers Craft Brewing | Lil’ Hellion Helles Lager

ABV: 4.6%

The term “little hellion” can only be used endearingly for this brew, from the Harrisonburg-based Virginia brewery. It’s relaxing to drink, harbors a thoughtful approach to the style and is a flagship selection from Brothers Craft Brewing. Read More

Pro Re Nata Farm Brewery | Beans Deep Coffee Stout

ABV: 4.6% | IBU: 41

If you’ve had a fever for a drinkable coffee stout in the summertime, Pro Re Nata Beans Deep will cure what ails ya. It’s a soothing beer at a bucolic brewery.

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Three Notch’d Brewing Company | Minute Man New England Style IPA

ABV: 7% | IBU: 20

Have you ever had an incredible taproom-only beer and wondered if it’ll ever come back? Three Notch’d Brewing Company out of Charlottesville, Virgina is all about producing exciting, innovative new beers on a weekly basis. The brewery has even expanded this philosophy at their satellite taprooms in Harrisonburg and Richmond thanks to dedicated small batch managers. And the greatest success to come from this the yearning to create, is the New England Style IPA, Minute Man.

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Starr Hill Brewing Expands, Yet Keeps Focus on Home in Virginia

The largest independent craft brewery in Virginia is expanding swiftly, but doing so with intent. Starr Hill Brewery has doubled its Virginia sales team within the past year, and from July 2015 to now, has increased Virginia sales by 16 percent — and packaging in particular by 20 percent.

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Weekly Growler Fill | National Beer News Roundup

Sierra Nevada issues a huge recall, North Carolina brewers make plans to repeal the distribution cap law, and a Virginia senator hopes to boost farms and breweries in his home state. No matter where you live in the country, we got you covered. Keep reading to catch the details of these stories and more in this edition of the Weekly Growler Fill.

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Starr Hill Brewery | Warm Up Winter Ale

ABV: 6.1% | IBU: 15

If a brewery says its beer pairs well with gouda and snickerdoodle cookies, you know you’re drinking the right thing.

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First U.S. Location of Delirium Café Coming to Leesburg, Virginia

Photo Credit for featured image: Facebook / Delirium Café USA

According to a recent article in the Loudoun Times Mirror, the United States is about to have its very first … Read More

Devils Backbone Brewing Company | Ginger Brau

ABV: 4.8% | IBU: 16

You know when you eat too much turkey at Thanksgiving and you regret it? Or you pour yourself a spicy pumpkin porter and realized it’s exhausting? This doesn’t happen with this beer. ?

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BadWolf Brewing Company | Session Brown

ABV: 4.7% | IBU: 29

It’s cliché but sometimes you want a beer that you can drink in the fall while wearing a flannel. Maybe you’re wearing brown boots, maybe you’re sitting on a haystack or maybe you’re just sitting on your back porch on a sunny, somewhat warm afternoon.

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Event Preview | Lickinghole Creek 3rd Year Anniversary Party and Magnificent Pagan Beast Release

Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery is the definitive example of farmhouse brewing on a breathtaking scale one has to see to believe. This 290-acre vibrant farmland nestled in Goochland, Virginia grows hops, fruits, barley and herbs to create a fantastic catalog of beers ranging from IPAs to Russian imperial stouts. Most Virginians love their reputation for creating barrel-aged behemoths contained in gorgeous 750 mL bottles that feature stunning label art and memorable liquid. So how fitting is it that the largest farmhouse brewery in the Commonwealth of Virginia creates the biggest beer in the state’s history?

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Devils Backbone Brewing Company | The Family Beer Project

Devils Backbone Brewing Company may be best known for its Germanic, lager-centric catalog, but the brewery also takes time to put unique beers into the market. Nearly every season, Devils Backbone releases up to four new beers ranging from common styles to experimental fusions, and the Family Beer Project is an example of that. So it’s safe to say that whether I’m heading to my favorite bottle shop or Costco, I’ll be able to satisfy the intrepid beer fan within.

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Ultimate 6er | Manassas Beer Love

Instead of just attending the Bands, Brews and Barbecue event on September 10th in Manassas, Virginia, my husband and I decided to volunteer and get to know some of our neighbors (who also happen to love music, beer and smoked meats).

It was a sweltering Saturday for the 6th year of the event, which was again located in Old Town Manassas, near its picturesque small-town train station, Civil War museum and local bars and causal restaurants. Despite the heat, folks turned out; we passed out wrist bands, glasses and sent eager imbibers on their ways. Read More